WDSRA says goodbye to theater director

Getting up on stage and taking on a different persona sometimes can be key to reaching personal potential.

Stage director Norman Engstrom has seen this phenomenon in action. The co-founder of the Theater Recreation Outreach Opportunity Program, or TROOP, said he's seen shy, retiring types bloom into self-confident people unafraid to address a packed house.

"There was one guy, the first year he just sat backstage," Engstrom said. Slowly, he became more involved. "Now, he's not up to leading roles yet, but …"

Engstrom said he recently witnessed the same actor graciously mount the stage to accept an award, exhibiting his newfound poise.

Since 1990, Engstrom has directed theatrical performances by the group designed for adults served by the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. WDSRA is an extension of nine park districts and offers recreational programming to children and adults with special needs.

After 26 years, Engstrom, of Spring Valley, is retiring from his role as TROOP director ahead of his 65th birthday. He's also retiring from his career as a teacher at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby. He plans to go back to professional performance while enjoying his retirement.

"We're really going to miss him," said Sue Novicki, a longtime parent volunteer.

Novicki's son, Robert, 44, who has Down syndrome, has been involved with TROOP since its inception.

"He's been in all 52 plays," said Novicki, who serves as assistant director. "There are quite a few of them that have been in it for some time. It's very rewarding to see these young people grow. Some of them have grown so much from this. The shyer kids, you can see them developing. "

Robert got to play the role of Joseph in TROOP's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," she said. He's also been in "The Jungle Book," "Annie," "The Little Mermaid," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "Bye Bye Birdie, " among others.

"The kids really love the musicals," she said.

Engstrom said TROOP didn't start out with musicals. In the beginning, the shows were heavily narrated and structured with short scenes so the actors didn't have too many lines to deliver. Also, there were offstage prompters ready to feed actors forgotten lines, he said.

These days, the scenes are longer, the actors have more dialogue and the group has ventured into musical theater. TROOP even did a bit of Shakespeare, he said, presenting a junior version of "Romeo and Juliet."

Engstrom said the idea for TROOP originated with David A. Kuester, one of his colleagues at IVCC who has a background in theater and psychology.

"I had a theater company at the time, the Actors Center of DuPage," Kuester said. "At the beginning, I did the tech work (for TROOP)."

Kuester left TROOP in the mid-90s, but Engstrom remained.

"It's fulfilling, watching them grow," Engstrom said. "It helps with social skills, confidence, getting up in front of people."

There were a few incidents, Engstrom said, that in retrospect he can recall as funny. There was the actor who informed him and his volunteer assistants that she had swallowed her ring, only to admit later that she was pulling a prank.

There was the WDSRA participant who had Tourette's syndrome and was autistic. Engstrom said he had a habit of going into character as W.C. Fields or Cary Grant. When Engstrom requested he bring his W.C. Fields impersonation out for a performance, the actor was confused. Engstrom said the actor didn't realize he was doing an impression.

"That's how he copes with life," he said.

Engstrom's last TROOP show, a Charlie Brown-themed story, was presented a few weeks ago at TROOP's performance space in the Memorial Room at Wheaton Community Center. A WDSRA luncheon honoring Engstrom is planned for mid-April in Wheaton.

TROOP shows typically draw about 20 participants ages 16 and older for each show, said Jorie Meyer, program manager at WDSRA.

Meyer said a new director, Lita Peterson, is ready to step into Engstrom's role. Peterson has a theater and special populations background, she said.

"It's going to be a huge transition to bring in a new director," Meyer said.

Novicki said that while she plans to continue volunteering with the group, Engstrom's absence will be felt.

"I adore Norm. The kids relate to him so well. He's got so much knowledge," Novicki said. "It's just been a wonderful 26 years."